A lot of clients tell me their cellulite "shows more in summer". It's not their imagination — there's a real physiological reason for it, and understanding it helps you take the right measures before the heat properly arrives. Just 25 min from central Madrid, in Campo Real.
What happens to lymphatic circulation in the heat
The lymphatic system is heat-sensitive. In hot weather, blood and lymphatic vessels dilate. That makes it easier for fluid to enter the tissues, but slows its return. The result is a build-up of interstitial fluid in the subcutaneous tissues, especially in legs, thighs and abdomen.
That excess fluid presses on adipocytes (fat cells) that were already hypertrophied in cellulite-prone areas, pushing them closer to the skin's surface. The orange-peel texture becomes more visible. The cellulite hasn't got structurally worse: there's more fluid around it making it visually larger.
That's exactly why lymphatic drainage improves the look of cellulite in summer so much: it doesn't act on the fibrotic tissue (that's what anti-cellulite massage does), but on the retention component that exaggerates it. With two well-done drainage sessions, the "summer" cellulite visibly improves.
And stretch marks — why do they look worse too?
Stretch marks don't "appear" more in summer, but they do become more visible for two reasons:
- Tanned skin creates more contrast: stretch marks don't tan (they have no active melanocytes), so they stand out much more against darker skin.
- Fluid retention: skin tightened by swelling stretches the marks and makes them more visible.
To genuinely improve stretch marks you need Dermapen or treatments that stimulate collagen in the area. Summer isn't the ideal time to start those (because of the sun), but it is the time to plan them for autumn.
What you can do right now
- Lymphatic drainage to reduce the retention that worsens visible cellulite.
- Hydrate the skin plenty to keep it elastic and reduce the contrast on stretch marks.
- Keep circulation active with walking, swimming or cycling.
- Avoid extreme heat on cellulite-prone areas (saunas, very hot baths).
- Cut back on salt, which retains fluids and worsens retention.
For the autumn: that's the time to tackle cellulite properly with the full anti-cellulite protocol (massage + technology + drainage). In summer we manage; in autumn we resolve.
Message me and I'll tell you what kind of cellulite you have and which protocol would suit you best. Every case is different.